Lubricant compositions and methods of making same

ABSTRACT

Compositions are described that include a) from 15 weight percent to 60 weight percent of one or more random alkylene oxide interpolymers, each having a weight average molecular weight ranging from 250 g/mol to 2000 g/mol and comprising from 30 weight percent to 60 weight percent of polymer units derived from ethylene oxide; and b) from 40 weight percent to 85 weight percent of one or more alkylene oxide block interpolymers, each having a weight average molecular weight ranging from 1500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol and comprising from 40 weight percent to 90 weight percent propylene oxide blocks. The compositions have a first viscosity in the absence of water and a second viscosity that is at least 60 percent of the first viscosity when at least 10 weight percent water is present. Methods of lubricating surfaces, particularly, marine bearing surfaces with such compositions, are also described.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/880,743 filed Jan. 17, 2007.

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to lubricant compositions.Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to lubricantcompositions suitable for use as stern tube lubricants in ocean-goingand other marine vessels.

Lubricants are widely used in the marine industry to lubricate thebearings of various ship assemblies, particularly bearings in sterndrives. Compositions that are suitable for such uses should have certainminimum properties to be useful. First, they should have a viscositythat provides acceptable lubrication over a wide temperature range.Another important property for such lubricants is their ability tomaintain lubricity in the presence of up to 50 weight percent water,especially sea water. As more and more ships travel the oceans and otherwaterways, lubricants should also be biodegradable. Some formulatedconventional lubricant compositions meet one or more of these standards.But when such conventional lubricant compositions leak from a ship'sstern drive assembly, they cause a sheen on the surface of water therebyimplying a pollution hazard even when the lubricant composition isbiodegradable. Thus, compositions that balance suitable lubricantproperties, maintain those properties in the presence of water, and formreduced amounts of sheen on the surface of water would be useful.

Embodiments of the invention provide a polymer composition that includesa) from 15 weight percent (wt. %) to 60 wt. %, based upon compositionweight, of one or more random alkylene oxide interpolymers, each ofwhich has a weight average molecular weight (M_(w)) ranging from 250grams per mole (g/mol) to 2000 g/mol and comprises from 30 wt. % to 60wt. %, based upon random interpolymer weight, of polymer units derivedfrom ethylene oxide (EO); and b) from 40 wt. % to 85 wt. %, based uponcomposition weight, of one or more alkylene oxide (AO) blockinterpolymers, each of which has a M_(w) ranging from 1500 g/mol to 4000g/mol and comprises from 40 wt. % to 90 wt. %, based upon blockcopolymer weight, of blocks derived from propylene oxide (PO). Theamounts of the components are based upon total composition weight andwhen taken together total 100 wt. %. The compositions have a firstviscosity in the absence of water and a second viscosity in the presenceat least (≧) 10 wt. % water based upon combined weight of compositionand water. The second viscosity has a value that is at ≧60 percent ofthe value of the first viscosity, wherein the first and secondviscosities are determined according to American Society for Testing andMaterials (ASTM) D-445 at 40 degrees centigrade (° C.). Suchcompositions may be used in a method of lubricating a surface andmethods of reducing sheen on the surface of water due to leakage oflubricant from a marine vessel. The methods include a) selecting acomposition comprising the appropriate amounts of the one or more randomAO interpolymers and the one or more AO block interpolymers; and b)providing the composition to the surface. Some methods are particularlysuitable for lubricating stern tube bearings of a marine vessel or finstabilizer bearings of a marine vessel.

In particular embodiments, the compositions having desirable viscositycharacteristics include a) from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. % of one or morerandom AO interpolymers, comprising from 50 wt. % to 55 wt. % of polymerunits derived from EO; and b) from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. % of one or moreAO block interpolymers having from 40 wt. % to 90 wt. % of polymer unitsderived from PO; wherein the compositions have a first viscosity in theabsence of water and a second viscosity in the presence of at least 10wt. % of water based upon combined weight of composition and water.Amounts of a) and b), when taken together, total 100 wt. %. The secondviscosity has a value that is ≧60 percent (%) of the value of the firstviscosity, wherein the first and second viscosities are determinedaccording to ASTM D445 at 40° C. Preferably, some compositions includetwo random AO interpolymers.

Polymers described herein are sometimes referred to by their weightaverage molecular weight, or M_(w). M_(w) may be determined from GelPermeation Chromatography (GPC) data according to the following formula:

Mj=(Σw _(i)(M _(i) ^(j)))^(j);

where w_(i) is the weight fraction of the molecules with molecularweight M_(i) eluting from the GPC column in fraction i and j=1. Detailsrelated to the determination of polymer molecular weights are discussedin Williams and Ward in the Journal of Polymer Science, Polymer Letters,Vol. 6, (621) 1968.

Embodiments of the invention provide a polymer composition wherein oneor more random AO interpolymers are combined with one or more AO blockinterpolymers to provide a composition comprising 15 wt. % to 60 wt. %of the random AO interpolymer and 40 wt. % to 85 wt. % of the block AOinterpolymer. Unless otherwise indicated all amounts herein are based onthe weight of the recited components as described below.

AO block interpolymers useful in the embodiments of the inventioninclude blocks or segments derived from at least two monomers of formulaI.

in which each R, independently, is hydrogen, a C₁-C₆ (one to six carbonatoms) alkyl or haloalkyl radical, or in which the two R substituentstogether with both vicinal epoxy carbons form a saturated ormonoethylenically unsaturated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon ring,preferably of five or six carbon atoms. Some AO monomers contain 2 to 12carbon atoms (C₂-C₁₂), and representative AO monomers include ethyleneoxide (EO), propylene oxide (PO), the butylene oxides (BO),1,2-epoxydodecane, cyclopentene oxide, cyclohexene oxide, and styreneoxide. Polymers having blocks derived from EO monomers and blocksderived from PO monomers represent preferred AO block interpolymersherein. Such block interpolymers are generally prepared by thesequential polymerization of monomer types as is known in the art. Insome embodiments, AO block interpolymers are made using a propyleneglycol (1,2-propane diol), also referred to as monopropylene glycol,initiator wherein a PO mid block is first formed followed by terminal EOblocks. Alternatively, dipropylene glycol may be used as an initiator.

Alternatively, block interpolymers can be described as including atleast one block of a first AO and at least one block of a second AO.This includes, for example, a single EO block and a single PO block.Block copolymers may also include those that have two blocks of a firstAO sandwiching a single block of a second AO as in(EO)_(a)(PO)_(b)(EO)_(c) or (PO)_(d)(EO)_(e)(PO)_(f), where thevariables a through f denote the number of repeat units of theindividual alkylene oxide blocks in the interpolymer. Of course, blockinterpolymers having blocks formed from at least one additional alkyleneoxide as well as alternating block copolymers with four or more alkyleneoxide units are envisioned. Preferred block interpolymers have threeblocks (also known as triblock polymers), with a central block of onealkylene oxide and terminal blocks of another alkylene oxide.

Both conventional block interpolymers and so-called “reverse block”polymers may be useful. Typically, the terms “block” and “reverse block”refer to the arrangement of the polymer blocks within the polymermolecules. For illustrative purposes only, an EO/PO system demonstratesthese two classes of polymers. Where block interpolymers having morethan two blocks are considered, conventional block EO/PO polymerscomprise terminal EO blocks and an intermediate block derived from PO.Such a polymer is sometimes referred to as an EO/PO/EO block polymer.Reverse block ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers compriseterminal blocks derived from PO and an intermediate block derived fromEO and are sometimes referred to as PO/EO/PO block polymers. A blockinterpolymer having units derived from EO, PO, and BO would beconsidered a conventional block interpolymer if the terminal blockscomprise EO, designated EO/PO/BO/EO. Typically, conventional triblockEO/PO block interpolymers are preferred. Block copolymers are describedin Non-Ionic Surfactants & Polyoxyalkylene Block Copolymers, SurfactantScience Series, Vol. 60 (Vaugh M. Nace, ed, Marcel Dekker Inc.),incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

With respect to the block structure, the designation of a block polymeras either a conventional block copolymer or reverse block copolymercoupled with the one or more comonomer content value, and the overallmolecular weight defines the size and type of blocks that may bepresent. While blocks of units derived from a particular monomer aregenerally of substantially the same size, this need not be the case. Forexample, while a conventional block or “reverse block” interpolymertypically has terminal blocks of substantially the same number ofpolymer units, asymmetric block polymers or those having terminal blocksthat have substantially different number of polymer units with respectto each other may be useful.

The AO block interpolymers present in compositions of the presentinvention can comprise from 40 wt. % to 85 wt. % of such compositions,based upon total composition weight. In particular compositions, thelower limit on the AO block interpolymer in the composition is 45 wt. %,50 wt. %, 55 wt. %, 60 wt. %, 65 wt. %, 70 wt. %, or 75 wt. %. The upperlimit of the range of AO block interpolymer in some embodiments is 50wt. %, 55 wt. %, 60 wt. %, 65 wt. %, 70 wt. %, 75 wt. %, or 80 wt. %.Some useful compositions include from 50 wt. % to 75 wt. %. Other usefulcompositions include from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. % based upon totalcomposition weight. In still other compositions, the alkylene oxideblock interpolymer comprises from 50 wt. % to 55 wt. % of thecomposition. The relative amounts of the block AO interpolymer in thecomposition are determined with respect to the amounts of each of therandom AO interpolymers and each of the block AO interpolymers presentin the composition according to the equation:

$\frac{\sum W_{{block},i}}{{\sum W_{{random},i}} + {\sum W_{{block},i}}}$

wherein W_(block,i) represents the weight of each block AO interpolymerpresent in the composition and W_(random,i) represents the weight ofeach random AO interpolymer present in the composition.

AO block interpolymers used in embodiments of the invention preferablyhave a M_(w) ranging from 1500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol. In some embodiments,the AO block interpolymers have a M_(w) of from 1500 g/mol to 3000g/mol, preferably from 1750 g/mol to 2250 g/mol, more preferably from1850 g/mol to 2150 g/mol, and still more preferably from 1900 g/mol to2100 g/mol.

Suitable AO block interpolymers typically have 40 wt. % to 90 wt. % ofpolymer units derived from PO. Some preferred AO block interpolymershave from 85 wt. % to 90 wt. % of polymer units derived from PO. Inparticular compositions, the AO block interpolymer comprises from 65 wt.% to less than 85 wt. % of polymer units derived from PO. In somecompositions, the block AO interpolymer is an EO/PO polymer,particularly those with less than 50 wt. % of polymer units derived fromEO, more particularly those with from 10 wt. % to less than 50 wt. % ofpolymer units derived from EO, and still more particularly those withfrom 10 wt %. to less than 35 wt. % of polymer units derived from EO.Thus, in some embodiments, the AO block interpolymer includes polymerunits derived from EO and PO wherein from greater than 70 wt. % to 90wt. %, preferably greater than 80 wt. % or 85 wt. % to 90 wt. %, of thepolymer units are derived from PO. Some such polymers are commerciallyavailable from The Dow Chemical Company under the Dowfax™ and Tergitol™brands.

The random AO interpolymer preferably have polymerized therein at leastthe same AO monomers as are present in the block copolymers. In contrastto block interpolymers, random polymers are generally prepared from areaction mixture having present therein each of the constituent monomersin their desired amounts during the polymerization. Consequently, thestructures of the individual polymer molecules have a randomdistribution of units derived from each of the monomers present duringthe process. Random AO interpolymers having units derived from anynumber of different monomers of Formula I may be used. Typically, therandom AO interpolymer have units derived from two or three suchmonomers, with EO, PO, and BO monomers being preferred. In someembodiments, random EO/PO polymers are used. Random copolymers aredescribed in detail in Synthetic Lubricants & High PerformanceFunctional Fluids, Leslie Rudnick and Ronald Shubkin, eds., 2^(nd) ed.,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The random AOinterpolymers can comprise from 15 wt. % to 60 wt. % of the composition,but preferably comprise from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. %, more preferably 50wt. % to 55 wt. %, of the composition.

$\frac{\sum W_{{random},i}}{{\sum W_{{random},i}} + {\sum W_{{block},i}}}$

Particular embodiments include one or more random AO interpolymers witha M_(w) ranging from 250 g/mol to 2000 g/mol, particularly from 250g/mol to 1200 g/mol, preferably from 250 g/mol to 1000 g/mol. Typically,the random AO interpolymer has from 30 wt. % to 60 wt. % of polymerunits derived from EO. In particular embodiments, the random AOinterpolymer has from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. %, preferably from 50 wt. % to55 wt. % polymer units derived from EO. In some compositions, two ormore, preferably only two, of such random AO interpolymers are used.

In particular embodiments, the compositions comprise from 40 wt. % to 60wt. % of one or more random EO/PO interpolymers having a M_(w) rangingfrom 250 g/mol to 1200 g/mol and having from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. % of thepolymer units derived from EO and one or more block EO/PO interpolymershaving a M_(w) ranging from 1750 g/mol to 2500 g/mol and having from 40wt. % to 90 wt. % of the polymer units derived from PO. Some suchpolymers are commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company underthe UCON® and Synalox™ brands.

The random and block interpolymers described herein can be combined byany convenient method. Generally, the M_(w)'s of the components are lowenough that the compositions can be prepared by any suitable method formixing liquids. For industrial scale preparation, the amounts of desiredrandom and block interpolymer components can be provided to a stainlesssteel mixing vessel and stirred at a temperature typically betweenambient temperature (nominally 25° C.) and 60° C. Blending may beaccomplished in one or more steps. In addition, additives may be blendedwith the composition in any desirable manner, such as being blendedcontemporaneously with one or more interpolymer components or they maybe provided in smaller portions or aliquots at intermediate stages ofthe blending process.

Some compositions are characterized by desirable viscosity behavior inthe presence of relatively large amounts of water. Thus, somecompositions have a first viscosity in the substantial absence of waterand an acceptable second viscosity when combined with water. Typically,the first viscosity ranges from 50 centistokes (cSt) (5×10⁻⁵ squaremeters per second (m²/sec)) to 150 cSt (15×10⁻⁵ m²/sec), preferably from50 cSt (5×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) to 120 cSt (12×10⁻⁵ m²/sec), and more preferablyfrom 70 cSt (7×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) to 110 cSt (11×10⁻⁵ m²/sec). In someembodiments, the second viscosity, as determined when the amount ofwater present ranges from 10 wt. % to 50 wt. %, based upon compositionweight, has a value that is at least 60 percent of the value of thefirst viscosity. For example, some compositions have a first viscosityin the absence of water, and then in the presence of 20 wt. % water, themixture of the polymer composition and water has second viscosity thatis ≧60% of the value of the viscosity when water is absent. In othercompositions, the second viscosity is ≧60% of the value of the firstviscosity when the composition includes 30 wt. % water, 40 wt. % wateror even 50 wt. % water. Some compositions are characterized by a valueof the second viscosity that is ≧80% of the value of the first viscositywhen the composition includes 40 wt. % water. In other compositions, thesecond viscosity has a value that is ≧90% of the first viscosity whencomposition includes 40 wt. % water.

While the viscosity of the mixtures of the block and random alkyleneoxide interpolymer components generally decreases when water is present,some compositions show an increase in viscosity in the presence ofrelatively small amounts of water. Thus, some preferred compositionshave a second viscosity that is up to 11% greater than the firstviscosity when the amount of water present is 5 wt. %.

Particular polymer compositions having one or more of the improvedviscosity properties described above comprise from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. %,based upon composition weight, of at least one random AO interpolymer,each random interpolymer comprising from 50 wt. % to 55 wt. % of polymerunits derived from EO; and from 40 wt. % to 60 wt. %, based uponcomposition weight, of at least one AO block interpolymer. Particularlyuseful compositions are prepared by providing two random EO/POinterpolymers that are present in an amount totaling from 40 wt. % to 60wt. %.

While the compositions may be used to lubricate any bearing on a marinevessel, lignum vitae bearings, metal bearings and Cedervall typebearings are most common.

EXAMPLES

The following examples recorded in Tables 1-13 below are prepared bycombining one or more of the following components. Polymers A, C, F, G,K, L and T include no viscosity profile data.

Polymer A is a triblock EO/PO interpolymer having a M_(w) of 3910 g/moland a PO content of 85 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight.

Polymer B is a triblock EO/PO interpolymer having a M_(w) of 2800 g/moland a PO content of 85 wt. % based upon copolymer weight. Polymer B hasthe following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 254.5/ 365.9/ — — — — (cST)/ 25.4 36.6(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) “—” denotes that the viscosity was not determined.

Polymer C is a butanol-initiated random EO/PO interpolymer in which theEO content is 50 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight, with a M_(w) of 270g/mol.

Synthesis of butanol-initiated random EO/PO interpolymers (Polymers Cand D), diol-initiated random EO/PO interpolymers (Polymers E and I),monopropylene glycol-initiated EO/PO triblock interpolymers (Polymers M,N, O, P and Q), trimethylolpropane-initiated EO/PO diblock copolymers(Polymer R), and glycerol-initiated EO/PO reverse diblock copolymers(Polymers S and T) involves a chemical reaction of EO and PO with aninitiator that contains a reactive hydrogen atom, e.g. butanol forPolymers C and D.

Polymer D is a butanol-initiated random EO/PO interpolymer with an EOethylene oxide content of 50 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight, and aM_(w) of 970 g/mol. Polymer D has the following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 52.2/ 53.4/ 43.7/ 32.9/ 29.5/ 18.8/ (cST)/5.22 5.34 4.37 3.29 2.95 1.88 (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)

Polymer E is a diol-initiated random EO/PO interpolymer with a M_(w) ofabout 1600 g/mol and an EO content of 45 wt. %, based upon copolymerweight. Polymer E has the following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 96.1/ 100.3/ 84.5/ 66/ 46/ 28/ (cST))/ 9.6110.03 8.45 6.6 4.6 2.8 ((×10⁻⁵ m²/sec))

Polymer F is a triblock EO/PO interpolymer having a M_(w) of 2500 g/moland a PO content of 70 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight.

Polymer G is a triblock EO/PO interpolymer having a M_(w) of 2750 g/moland a PO content of 85 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight.

Polymer H is a triblock EO/PO interpolymer having a M_(w) of 2600 g/moland a PO content of 87 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight. Polymer H hasthe following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 226.5/ 334.2/ —* —* —* —* (cST)/ 22.65 33.42(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) *“—” denotes that the viscosity was not determined.

Polymer I is a diol-initiated random EO/PO copolymer with an EO contentof is 60 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight, with a M_(w) of 1000 g/mol.Polymer I has the following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 72.9/ 68.3/ 53.9/ 34.2/ 19.5/ 15.9/ (cST)/7.29 6.83 5.39 3.42 1.95 1.59 (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)

Polymer J is a triblock EO/PO interpolymer having a M_(w) of 2300 g/moland a PO content of 70 wt. %, based upon copolymer weight. Polymer J hasthe following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 197.2/ 269.8/ 313.1/ — 671.0/ 141.6/ (cST)/19.72 26.98 31.31 67.1 14.16 (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) “—” denotes not determined.

Polymer K is a polyol ester lubricant, available from Hatco as HATCOL5068. It has a viscosity at 40° C. of 68 cSt, (6.8×10⁻⁵ m²/sec), aviscosity at 100° C. of 9 cSt (0.9×10⁻⁵ m²/sec); a pour point of −37°C., an open cup flash point of 237° C. Because Polymer K forms animmiscible mixture when water is present between 1 wt. % and 50 wt. %,the viscosity in the presence of water is not determined.

Polymer L is a rapeseed oil-based lubricant having a viscosity at 40° C.of 31 cSt (3.1×10⁻⁵ m²/sec), a viscosity at 100° C. of 9 cSt (0.9×10⁻⁵m²/sec); and a density at 15° C. of 930 Kg/m³ and flash point in excessof (>) 220° C. This fluid has an initial viscosity of 28 cSt (2.8×10⁻⁵ m2/sec) at 40° C. Because Polymer L forms an immiscible mixture whenwater is present between 10 wt. % and 50 wt. %, the viscosity in thepresence of water is not determined.

Polymer M is a monopropylene glycol-initiated EO/PO triblockinterpolymer (sometimes referred to as an EO/PO triblock copolymer)having a M_(w) of 2400 g/mol and a PO content of 60 wt. %, based uponcopolymer weight. Polymer M has the following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 248.7/ 301.3/ —* —* —* —* (cSt)/ 24.87 30.13(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) “—” denotes not determined.

Polymer N is a monopropylene glycol-initiated EO/PO triblock copolymerhaving a M_(w) of 1900 g/mol and an EO content of 90 wt. %, based uponcopolymer weight. Polymer N has the following viscosity profile.

10 20 30 40 50 0 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity 152/ 169.3/ — — — — (cSt)/ 15.2 16.93 (×10⁻⁵m²/sec) “—” denotes not determined.

Polymer 0 is a monopropylene glycol-initiated EO/PO triblock copolymerhaving a M_(w) of 2000 g/mol and a PO content of 85 wt. %, based uponcopolymer weight. Polymer 0 has the following viscosity profile.

0 wt. % 10 wt. % 20 wt. % 30 wt. % 40 wt. % 50 wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity (cSt)/ 154.9/15.49 195.2/19.52 276.9/27.69362.5/36.25 — — (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) “—” denotes not determined.

Polymer P is a monopropylene glycol-initiated EO/PO triblock copolymerhaving a M_(w) of 2700 g/mol and a PO content of 90 wt. %, based uponcopolymer weight. Polymer P has the following viscosity profile.

0 wt. % 10 wt. % 20 wt. % 30 wt. % 40 wt. % 50 wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity (cStT)/ 220.3/22.03 396.1/39.61 629.3/62.93— — — (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) “—” denotes not determined.

Polymer Q is a monopropylene glycol-initiated EO/PO triblock copolymerhaving a M_(w) of 3800 g/mol and a PO content of 84 wt. %, based uponcopolymer weight. Polymer Q has the following viscosity profile.

0 wt. % 10 wt. % 20 wt. % 30 wt. % 40 wt. % 50 wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity (cSt)/ 310.2/31.02 1358.7/135.87 —* —* —* —*(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) *“—”denotes not determined.

Polymer R is a trimethylolpropane-initiated EO/PO diblock copolymerhaving a M_(w) of 4500 g/mol and a PO content of 10 wt. %, based uponcopolymer weight. Polymer R has the following viscosity profile.

0 wt. % 10 wt. % 20 wt. % 30 wt. % 40 wt. % 50 wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity (cSt)/ 351.4/35.14 — — — — — (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)“—” denotes not determined

Polymer S is a glycerol-initiated EO/PO reverse diblock copolymer havinga M_(w) of 4500 g/mol and a PO content of 87 wt. %, based upon copolymerweight. Polymer S has the following viscosity profile.

0 wt. % 10 wt. % 20 wt. % 30 wt. % 40 wt. % 50 wt. % water water waterwater water water Viscosity (cSt)/ 293.9/29.39 309.5/30.95 — — — —(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) “—” denotes not determined

Polymer T is a glycerol-initiated EO/PO reverse diblock copolymer havinga M_(w) of 3500 g/mol and a PO content of 65 wt. %, based upon copolymerweight.

The initial viscosity of the compositions is determined according toASTM D-445 at 40° C. To determine the effect of water on the viscosity,a sample of each composition is combined with an amount of watersufficient to yield a diluted composition with a water content rangingfrom 10 wt. % to 50 wt. %, based upon diluted composition weight. Forthose samples that form a miscible mixture, the viscosity of the mixtureis measured according to the same method. Generally, miscible mixtureshave a clear appearance. An immiscible mixture is generally indicated bya cloudy mixture, or in extreme cases by separation of the phases. Theviscosity of immiscible mixtures is not determined.

The following data are reported to demonstrate the viscositycharacteristics and physical properties of various blends made from theabove-described polymers. While some of the following examples fallwithin the compositional ranges of the invention, they may haveviscosity profiles that are undesirable. Nevertheless, such examplesshould in no way be considered to limit the scope of protection affordedto compositions that otherwise fall within the claims but may not havebeen reported herein.

TABLE 1 Comparative Comparative Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Ex. 3Ex. 4 Ex. 5 Component 1 Polymer A Polymer B Polymer I Polymer E PolymerK (wt. %)   (50%) (50%)   (100%)   (100%) (100%)  Component 2 Polymer CPolymer C not not not (wt. %)   (50%) (10%) present present presentComponent 3 not Polymer D not not not (wt. %) present (40%) presentpresent present Viscosity 67.4/6.74 102.4/10.24  72.8/7.28 96.1/9.61 68/6.8 (η_(i)) (40° C.), (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) Viscosity 74.7/7.47104.2/10.42  68.3/6.83 100.3/10.03 — (40° C.), 10% water) (10.8%)(1.8%)   (−6.2%)  (4.4%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) (%Δη) Viscosity 74.1/7.41105/10.5 53.9/5.39 84.5/8.45 — (40° C., 20% water)  (9.9%) (2.5%) (−26.0%) (−12.1%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Viscosity 71.7/7.17104.1/10.41  34.2/3.42  66/6.6 — (40° C., 30% water)  (6.3%) (1.7%) (−53.0%) (−31.3%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Viscosity 67.7/6.7797.7/9.77  19.4/1.94  46/4.6 — (40° C., 40% water)  (0.4%) (−4.6%)  (−73.4%) (−52.1%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Viscosity 64.2/6.4289.3/8.93  15.9/1.59  28/2.8 — (40° C., 50% water) (−4.8) (−12.8%  )(−78.1%) (−70.9%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Comparative Ex. 6 Example 7Example 8 Example 9 Example 10 Component 1 Polymer J Polymer F Polymer FPolymer J Polymer G (wt. %)  (100%) (60%)   (57%)   (60%)  (50%)Component 2 not Polymer C Polymer C Polymer C Polymer C (wt. %) present(13%)   (10%)   (10%)  (30%) Component 3 not Polymer D Polymer D PolymerD Polymer D (wt. %) present (27%)   (33%)   (30%)  (20%) Viscosity197.2/19.72 108/10.8  110/11.0  111/11.1 72.5/7.25 (η_(i)) (40° C.)(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) Viscosity 269.8/26.98 113/11.3 112.1/11.21 117/11.7 74.7/7.47 (40° C., 10% water) (36.8%) (4.6%)   (1.9%)  (5.4%)(6.8%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Viscosity 313.1/31.31 106/10.6102.5/10.25 113.4/11.34 74.1/7.41 (40° C., 20% water) (58.8%) (−1.5%)   (−6.8%)  (2.2%) (4.0%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Viscosity — 88/8.883.7/8.37  113/11.3 71.7/7.17 (40° C., 30% water) (−18.5%)   (−23.9%) (2.1%) (1.5%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Viscosity 671.0/67.1  70/7.065.5/6.55 80.5/8.05 67.7/6.77 (40° C., 40% water)  (240%) (−35.2%)  (−40.0%) (−27.5%) (8.1%) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) (%Δη) Viscosity141.6/14.16 52/5.2 44.8/4.48  75/7.5 64.2/6.42 (40° C., 50% water)(−28.2%)  (−51.9%)   (−59.3%) (−32.4%) (20.2%)  (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec))(%Δη) “—” denotes not determined.

Examples of Table 2 are formulated compositions including conventionaladditive packages along with the block polymer and random polymercomponents. Typical additive packages include antioxidants and corrosioninhibitors such as a combination of (4-nonlyphenol)acetic acid, aproprietary acylsarkosinate and nonyl phenol (Irgacor® L17),N-phenyl-ar-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-1-naphthaleneamine Irganox® L06,a reaction product of N-phenylbenzenamine with 2,4,4-trimethylpententdiphenylamine (Irganox® L57), tolyltriazole and monomethyl hydroquinone.Irganox® is a trademark of the Ciba Geigy Corporation. Additives may beused in any convenient combination or amount but typically comprise from0.5 wt. % to 5 wt. %, preferably from 1 wt. % to 3 wt. %, of the totalcomposition. One preferred additive package comprises 0.9 wt. % Irgacor®L17, 0.25 wt. % Irganox® L06, 0.25 wt. % Irganox® L57, 0.1 wt. %tolyltriazole and 0.5 wt. % monomethyl hydroquinone, each wt. % beingbased upon total composition weight.

TABLE 2 Comparative Ex. Example 11* Example 12* 13* Component 1 (wt. %)Polymer J (60%) Polymer H (50%) Polymer I (98.0%) Component 2 (wt. %)Polymer C (13%) Polymer C (9%) not present Component 3 (wt. %) Polymer D(25%) Polymer D (39%) not present Viscosity (η_(i)) 97.6/ 97.8/ 65.2/(40° C.) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) 9.76 9.78 6.52 Viscosity 99.3/ 100.6/ 63/(40° C. ((cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 9.93 10.06 6.3 10% water Viscosity 90.1/100.4/ 47.9/ (40° C.), (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 9.01 10.04 4.79 20% waterViscosity 76.1/ 98.8/ 32.3/ (40° C.) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 7.61 9.883.23 30% water Viscosity 58.7/ 93.1/ 20/ (40° C.) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),5.87 9.31 2.0 40% water Viscosity 43.4/ 49/ 11.1/ (40° C.) (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 4.34 4.9 1.11 50% water Pour Point, ° C. −17 −40 −38 (ASTMD97)Flash Point, F 445 525 410 (ASTM D92) Solubility (10%) Clear Clear Clearin deionized water Solubility (10%) Clear Hazy Clear in sea waterCorrosion Performance Pass Pass Pass (ASTM D665A) Rotary Bomb Oxidation370 390 350 Test, mins (ASTM D2272) Biodegradability (OECD Estimated tobe Estimated to be Estimated to be 302B) >60% based on >60% basedon >60% based on biodegradability biodegradability of biodegradabilityof of individual individual individual components components components*Examples 11-13 include 0.9 wt. % Irgacor ® L17, 0.25 wt. % Irganox ®L06, 0.25 wt. % Irganox ® L57, 0.1 wt. % tolyltriazole and 0.5 wt. %monomethyl hydroquinone, each wt. % being based upon total compositionweight.

TABLE 3 Example 14 wt. %, wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Polymer H100* 80 60 50 40 20*   0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80  100 Viscosity226.5/ 166.5/ 139.7/ 111.9/ 98.7/ 76.2/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),22.65 16.65 13.97 11.19 9.87 7.62 5.22 0% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 334.2/ 193.7/ 143.9/117.7/ 100.6/ 73.1/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 33.42 19.37 14.39 11.7710.06 7.31 5.35 10% water added Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear ClearClear Clear Viscosity — 312.5/ 179.7/ 115.3/ 93.8/ 59.2/ 43.8/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 31.25 17.97 11.53 9.38 5.92 4.38 20% water addedAppearance Separated Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear haze gelViscosity — 399.7/ 180.1/ 111.9/ 85.3/ 48.4/ 32.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),39.97 18.01 11.19 8.53 4.84 3.29 30% water added Appearance SeparatedClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear haze gel Viscosity — — 228.5/ 103.1/73.6/ 34.7/ 29.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 22.85 10.31 7.36 3.47 2.95 40%water added Appearance Separated Separated Clear Clear Clear Clear Clearhaze gel haze Viscosity — — — 65.1/ 65.1/ 22.0/ 18.9/ ((cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 6.51 6.51 2.20 1.89 50% water added Appearance SeparatedSeparated Slight Separated Slight Clear Clear cloudy haze haze haze haze“—” denotes not determined. “*” denotes a comparative composition, notpart of the invention.

TABLE 4 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Example 15 Polymer Q100* 80* 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity 310.2/ 255.6/ 172.3/ 142.9/ 117.8/ 82.8/ 52.2/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),31.02 25.56 17.23 14.29 11.78 8.28 5.22  0% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 1358.7/ 456.8/ 179.7/145.0/ 114.9/ 80.5/ 53.5/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 135.87 45.68 17.9714.50 11.49 8.05 5.35 10% water added Appearance Clear Gel Clear ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — — 220.7/ 161.9/ 114.4/ 67.8/ 43.8/(cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 22.07 16.19 11.44 6.78 4.38 20% water addedAppearance Separated Separated Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear clear gelclear gel Viscosity — — 278.1/ 184.4/ 110.2/ 53.1/ 32.9/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 27.81 18.44 11.02 5.31 3.29 30% water added AppearanceSeparated Separated Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear clear gel clear gelViscosity — — — 181.4/ 102.4/ 38.8/ 29.5/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 18.1410.24 3.88 2.95 40% water added Appearance Separated Separated SeparatedClear Clear Clear Clear cloudy gel cloudy gel clear gel Viscosity — — —150.3/  92.4/ 25.9/ 18.9/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 15.03 9.24 2.59 1.8950% water added Appearance Separated Separated Separated Clear ClearClear Clear cloudy gel cloudy cloudy Example 16 Polymer Q 100* 80* 60 5040 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity  310.2/ 226.7/184.6/ 160.8/ 135.5/ 94.9/ 72.9/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 31.02 22.6718.46 16.08 13.55 9.49 7.29  0% water added Appearance Clear Clear ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 1358.7/ 264.7/ 257.1/ 128.5/ 86.3/68.3/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 135.87 26.47 25.71 12.85 8.63 6.83 10%water added Appearance Clear/Gel Separated Separated Separated SeparatedClear Clear haze haze haze haze Viscosity — — — — — — 53.9/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 5.39 20% water added Appearance Separated Separated Cloudy gelHaze Separated Separated Clear clear gel cloudy gel haze haze Viscosity— — — — — — 34.2/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 3.42 30% water added AppearanceSeparated Cloudy Separated Cloudy gel Separated Cloudy Clear clear gelgel cloudy gel cloudy gel Viscosity — — — — — — 19.5/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 1.95 40% water added Appearance Separated Separated Cloudy gelMilky gel Separated Separated Slight haze cloudy gel haze gel cloudy gelcloudy Viscosity — — — — — — 15.9/ (cSt/ (×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.59 50% wateradded Appearance Separated Separated Separated Separated SeparatedCloudy gel Slight haze cloudy gel haze cloudy cloudy gel cloudy gel “—”denotes not determined. “*” denotes a comparative composition, not partof the invention.

TABLE 5 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Example 17 Polymer J100* 80 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity197.2/ 149.5/ 114.8/ 114.7/ 100.6/ 87.3/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),19.72 14.95 11.48 11.47 10.06 8.73 5.22  0% water added AppearanceSlight Slight Clear Slight Slight Slight Clear haze haze haze haze hazeViscosity 269.8/ 164.6/ 123.5/ 100.9/  88.7/ 67.2/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 26.98 16.46 12.35 10.09 8.87 6.72 5.35 10% water addedAppearance Clear Clear Clear Slight Slight Clear Clear haze hazeViscosity 313.1/ 168.2/ 104.9/  91.4/  72.5/ 54.7/ 43.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 31.31 16.82 10.49 9.14 7.25 5.47 4.38 20% water addedAppearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — 146.2/ 86.4/  70.3/  58.7/ 40.9/ 32.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 14.62 8.64 7.035.87 4.09 3.29 30% water added Appearance Separated Clear Clear ClearClear Clear Clear clear gel Viscosity 671.0/ 121.0/  70.0/  60.0/  40.1/28.7/ 29.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 67.10 12.10 7.00 6.00 4.01 2.87 2.9540% water added Appearance Slight Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clearhaze Viscosity 141.6/  97.8/  80.7/  40.9/  24.4/ 26.7/ 18.9/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 14.16 9.78 8.07 4.09 2.44 2.67 1.89 50% wateradded Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Example 18Polymer J 100* 80 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80 100Viscosity 197.2/ 158.7/ 131.9/ 118.8/ 106.8/ 86.8/ 72.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 19.72 15.87 13.19 11.88 10.68 8.68 7.28  0% water addedAppearance Slight Slight Slight Clear Clear Clear Clear haze Haze hazeViscosity 269.8/ 165.3/ 125.0/ 105.3/  96.0/ 77.2/ 68.3/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 26.98 16.53 12.50 10.53 9.60 7.72 6.83 10% water addedAppearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 313.1/178.9/ 120.9/  99.0/  81.1/ 59.2/ 53.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 31.3117.89 12.09 9.90 8.81 5.92 5.39 20% water added Appearance Clear ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — 173.5/ 117.7/  96.6/  68.0/44.7/ 34.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 17.35 11.77 9.66 6.80 4.47 3.42 30%water added Appearance Separated Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clearclear gel Viscosity 670.6/ 140.4/  88.8/  75.2/  66.8/ 32.6/ 19.5/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 67.06 14.04 8.88 7.52 6.68 3.26 1.95 40% wateradded Appearance Slight Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Slight haze hazeViscosity 141.7/ 108.2/  73.2/  54.4/  65.1/ — 15.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 14.17 10.82 7.32 5.44 6.51 1.58 50% water added AppearanceClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Slight haze “—” denotes was notdetermined. “*” denotes a comparative composition, not part of theinvention.

TABLE 6 Example 19 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Polymer M100* 80* 60* 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity248.7/ 113.0/ 134.9/ 119.6/ 102.6/ 76.0/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),24.87 11.30 13.49 11.96 10.26 7.60 5.22  0% water added AppearanceCloudy Cloudy Haze Haze Clear Haze Clear Viscosity 301.3/ — — 119.2/ 97.7/ 73.2/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 30.13 11.92 9.77 7.32 5.35 10%water added Appearance Clear Separated Separated Clear Clear Slight hazeClear haze haze Viscosity — — — 105.6/ — 61.7/ 43.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 10.56 6.17 4.38 20% water added Appearance Separated SeparatedSeparated Clear Separated Clear Clear clear gel haze gel haze hazeViscosity — — —  79.2/ 112.7/ 63.8/ 32.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 7.9211.27 6.38 3.29 30% water added Appearance Separated Separated SeparatedClear Separated Slight haze Clear clear gel clear cloudy haze Viscosity— 400.3/ —  59.6/  45.3/ 37.9/ 29.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 40.03 5.964.53 3.79 2.95 40% water added Appearance Separated Clear SeparatedClear Slight haze Haze Clear clear haze Viscosity — —  68.1/  40.8/ 40.6/ 32.6/ 18.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 6.81 4.08 4.06 3.26 1.89 50%water added Appearance Separated Separated Separated Clear Clear ClearClear clear clear haze “—” denotes not determined. “*” denotes acomparative composition, not part of the invention.

TABLE 7 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Example 20 Polymer N100* 80 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity  152/ 119.7/  96.7/  87.7/ 79.4/ 66.2/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 15.211.97 9.67 8.77 7.94 6.62 5.22  0% water added Appearance Clear ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 169.3/   121/  98.1/  89.4/80.1/ 66.3/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 16.93 12.1 9.81 8.94 8.01 6.635.35 10% water added Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear ClearClear Viscosity Cloud 114.3/  98.9/  81.5/ 67.4/ 52.5/ 43.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), Point at 11.43 9.89 8.15 6.74 5.25 4.38 20% water 40° C. addedAppearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity CloudCloud  97.3/  75.6/ 59.2/ 41.2/ 32.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), Point atPoint at 9.73 7.56 5.92 4.12 3.29 30% water 40° C. 40° C. addedAppearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — CloudCloud  26.3/ 49.7/ 29.35/ 29.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), Point at Point at2.63 4.97 2.94 2.95 40% water 40° C. 40° C. added Appearance CloudyClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — — — — — — 18.85/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.89 50% water added Appearance Cloudy CloudyCloudy Hazy Hazy Hazy Clear Comparative Example 21 Polymer N 100* 80*60* 50* 40* 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity   152/129.2/ 111.6/ 103.7/ 94.7/ 80.1/ 72.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 15.2 12.9211.16 10.37 9.47 8.01 7.28  0% water added Appearance Clear Clear ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 169.3/ — — — — 72.4/ 68.3/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 16.93 7.24 6.83 10% water added Appearance Clear Cloudy CloudyHazy Hazy Clear Clear Viscosity Cloud — — — — — 53.9 (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), Point at 20% water 40° C. added Appearance Clear Milky MilkyMilky Milky Milky Clear Viscosity Cloud — — — — — 34.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), Point at 3.42 30% water 40° C. added Appearance Clear MilkyMilky Milky Milky Milky Clear Viscosity — — — — — — 19.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 1.95 40% water added Appearance Cloudy Milky Milky Milky MilkyMilky Slight haze Viscosity — — — — — — 15.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.5950% water added Appearance Cloudy Hazy Hazy Hazy Hazy Milky Slight haze“—” denotes not determined. “*” denotes a comparative composition, notpart of the invention.

TABLE 8 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Example 22 Polymer O100* 80 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0* 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity154.9/  127.9/ 101.5/  99.7/  87.2/  65.3/  52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),15.49 12.79 10.15 9.97 8.72 6.53 5.22  0% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 195.2/  130.8/ 107.1/ 90.5/  85.7/  63.5/  53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 19.52 13.08 10.71 9.058.57 6.35 5.35 10% water added Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear ClearClear Clear Viscosity 276.9/ 135.02/ 90.15/ 74.84/ 64.86/ 63.13/  43.8/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 27.69 13.50 9.02 7.84 6.49 6.31 4.38 20% wateradded Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity362.5/  134.1/  81.9/  65.5/  57./  41.2/ 32.93/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),36.25 13.41 8.19 6.55 5.77 4.12 3.29 30% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity —  113.2/  62.2/  84.5/ 62.9/  31.9/  29.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 11.32 6.22 8.45 6.29 3.192.95 40% water added Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear ClearClear Viscosity — —  68.9/  44.4/  31.8/  21.3/  18.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 6.89 4.44 3.18 2.13 1.89 50% water added Appearance Slighthaze Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Comparative Example 23 PolymerO 100* 80* 60* 50* 40* 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity154.9/  132.6/ 114.7/ 105.8/  96.8/  82.6/  72.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),15.49 13.26 11.47 10.58 9.68 8.26 7.28  0% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 195.2/ — — — —  82.5/ 68.3/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 19.52 8.25 6.83 10% water added AppearanceClear Separated Separated Separated Separated Clear Clear haze haze hazehaze Viscosity 276.9/ — — — — —  53.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 27.69 5.3920% water added Appearance Clear Separated Separated Separated SeparatedSeparated Clear haze cloudy cloudy cloudy haze Viscosity 362.5/ — — — — 73.3/  34.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 36.25 7.33 3.42 30% water addedAppearance Clear Separated Separated Separated Separated Clear Clearhaze cloudy cloudy cloudy Viscosity — — — — — —  19.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 1.95 40% water added Appearance Clear Separated SeparatedSeparated Separated Separated Slight haze cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudycloudy Viscosity — — — — — —  15.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.59 50% wateradded Appearance Slight haze Separated Separated Separated SeparatedSeparated Slight haze cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy “—” denotes notdetermined. “*” denotes a comparative composition, not part of theinvention.

TABLE 9 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Example 24 Polymer P100* 80 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity220.3/ 164.5/ 146.8/ 133.2/ 115.6/  81.1/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),22.03 16.45 14.68 13.32 11.56 8.11 5.22  0% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 396.1/ 243.4/ 134.3/114.9/ 104.3/  79.4/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 39.61 24.34 13.43 11.4910.43 7.94 5.35 10% water added Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear ClearClear Clear Viscosity 629.3/ 311.5/ 158.9/ 118.9/  95.7/  88.4/ 43.8/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 62.93 31.15 15.89 11.89 9.57 8.84 4.38 20% wateradded Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — —163.4/ 112.2/  90.8/  52.3/ 32.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 16.34 11.22 9.085.23 3.29 30% water added Appearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear ClearClear Viscosity — — —  62.8/  81.6/  42.1/ 29.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),6.28 8.16 4.21 2.95 40% water added Appearance Separated SeparatedSeparated Mild haze Mild haze Clear Clear cloudy Cloudy hazy Viscosity —— — — — — 18.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.89 50% water added AppearanceSeparated Separated Separated Separated Separated Mild haze Clear cloudyCloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy Comparative Example 25 Polymer P 100* 80*60* 50* 40* 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity 220.3/172.2/ 134.5/ 128.3/ 114.5/ 94.02/ 72.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 22.0317.22 13.45 12.83 11.45 9.40 7.28  0% water added Appearance Clear ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 396.1/ —  76.4/ — —  82.1/ 68.3/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 39.61 7.64 8.21 6.83 10% water added AppearanceClear Separated Clear Separated Separated Clear Clear haze haze hazeViscosity 629.3/ — — — — — 53.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 62.93 5.39 20%water added Appearance Clear Separated Separated Separated SeparatedSeparated Clear milky haze cloudy haze haze Viscosity — — — — — — 34.2/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 3.42 30% water added Appearance Clear ThickSeparated Separated Separated Separated Clear milky milky cloudy hazehaze Viscosity — — — — — — 19.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.95 40% wateradded Appearance Separated Separated Thick Thick Separated Cloudy Slighthaze cloudy milky Milky milky cloudy Viscosity — — — — — — 15.9/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.59 50% water added Appearance SeparatedSeparated Thick Thick Separated Separated Slight haze cloudy milky Milkymilky milky cloudy “—” denotes not determined. “*” denotes a comparativecomposition, not part of the invention.

TABLE 10 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Example 26 Polymer B100* 80 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity254.5/ 189.4/ 137.9/ 116.9/ 100.0/  72.9/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),25.45 18.94 1379 11.69 10.0 7.29 5.22  0% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 365.9/ 218.3/ 155.2/120.3/  99.2/  71.9/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 36.59 21.83 15.52 12.039.92 7.19 5.35 10% water added Appearance Clear Slight Clear Clear ClearClear Clear haze Viscosity — 390.9/ 165.6/ 121.7/  93.9/  59.9/ 43.8/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 39.09 16.56 12.17 9.39 5.99 4.38 20% water addedAppearance Thick haze Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — —171.1/ 118.9/  83.1/  45.9/ 32.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 17.11 11.89 8.314.59 3.29 30% water added Appearance Thick haze Separated Clear ClearClear Clear Clear clear Viscosity — — 164.5/ 119.1/  72.6/  31.5/ 29.5/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 16.45 11.91 7.26 3.15 2.95 40% water addedAppearance Thick haze Separated Slight Clear Clear Clear Clear clearhaze Viscosity — — — 114.9/  73.4/  21.1/ 18.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),11.49 7.34 2.11 1.89 50% water added Appearance Haze Haze Slight SlightSlight Clear Clear haze haze haze Comparative Example 27 Polymer B 100*80* 60* 50* 40* 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity 254.5/188.9/ 154.2/ 161.5/ 117.8/  97.2/ 72.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 25.4518.89 15.42 16.15 11.78 9.72 7.28  0% water added Appearance Clear ClearClear Clear Slight Clear Clear haze Viscosity 365.9/ — — — — 186.9/68.3/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 36.59 18.69 6.83 10% water added AppearanceClear Separated Separated Separated Separated Clear Clear haze haze hazehaze Viscosity — — — — — — 53.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 5.39 20% wateradded Appearance Thick haze Separated Separated Separated SeparatedSeparated Clear cloudy haze haze haze haze Viscosity — — — — — — 34.2/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 3.42 30% water added Appearance Thick hazeSeparated Separated Separated Separated Separated Clear cloudy cloudyhaze cloudy haze Viscosity — — — — — — 19.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.9540% water added Appearance Thick haze Separated Separated SeparatedSeparated Separated Slight haze cloudy milky gel cloudy cloudy hazeViscosity — — — — — — 15.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.59 50% water addedAppearance Haze Separated Separated Separated Separated Separated Slighthaze cloudy milky gel cloudy milky cloudy “—” denotes not determined.“*” denotes a comparative composition, not part of the invention.

TABLE 11 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Comparative Example28 Polymer S 100* 80* 60* 50* 40* 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80100 Viscosity 293.9/ 204.1/ 149.5/ 126.8/ 106.8/ 80.4/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 29.39 20.41 14.95 12.68 10.68 8.04 5.22  0% water addedAppearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 309.5/ —— 127.3/   106/ 77.6/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 30.95 12.73 10.60 7.765.35 10% water added Appearance Clear Haze Haze Clear Clear Clear ClearViscosity — — — — — 65.9/ 43.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 6.59 4.38 20%water added Appearance Separated Separated Separated Separated SeparatedClear Clear cloudy cloudy cloudy haze haze Viscosity — — — — — — 32.9/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 3.29 30% water added Appearance SeparatedSeparated Separated Separated Separated Separated Clear cloudy cloudycloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy Viscosity — — — — — — 29.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 2.95 40% water added Appearance Separated Separated SeparatedSeparated Separated Separated Clear cloudy cloudy cloudy haze hazecloudy Viscosity — — — — — — 18.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.89 50% wateradded Appearance Separated Separated Separated Separated SeparatedSeparated Clear cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy Example 29Polymer S 100* 80* 60* 50* 40 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80 100Viscosity 293.9/ 224.9/ 173.9/ 152.1/ 134.6/ 96.9/ 72.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 29.39 22.49 17.39 15.21 13.46 9.69 7.28  0% water addedAppearance Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity 309.5/ —— — 159.6/ 94.3/ 68.3/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 30.95 15.96 9.43 6.83 10%water added Appearance Clear Separated Separated Separated Mild hazeClear Clear cloudy haze haze Viscosity — — — — — — 53.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 5.39 20% water added Appearance Separated Separated CloudySeparated Separated Separated Clear cloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy hazeViscosity — — — — — — 34.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 3.42 30% water addedAppearance Separated Separated Separated Separated Cloudy Cloudy Clearcloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy Viscosity — — — — — — 19.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 1.95 40% water added Appearance Separated Separated SeparatedCloudy Cloudy Cloudy Slight cloudy cloudy cloudy haze Viscosity — — — —— — 15.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.59 50% water added AppearanceSeparated Separated Separated Separated Cloudy Separated Slight cloudycloudy cloudy cloudy cloudy haze “—” denotes not determined.

TABLE 12 wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % wt. % Example 30 Polymer R100* 80 60 50 40 20*  0* Polymer D  0 20 40 50 60 80 100 Viscosity351.4/ 242.7/ 170.2/ 143.9/ 127.5/  79.1/ 52.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),35.14 24.27 17.02 14.39 12.75 7.91 5.22  0% water added Appearance ClearClear Clear Clear Clear Clear Clear Viscosity — 352.6/ 196.9/ 152.9/122.0/  81.0/ 53.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 35.26 19.69 15.29 12.20 8.105.35 10% water added Appearance Cloudy — — — — — Clear Viscosity —778.6/ 238.7/ 187.2/ 136.5/  82.1/ 43.8/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 77.8623.87 18.72 13.65 8.21 4.38 20% water added Appearance Clear — — — — —Clear separated gel Viscosity — — — — 134.8/ — 32.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 13.48 3.29 30% water added Appearance Haze gel Separated HazeSeparated Haze — Clear cloudy haze Viscosity — — — — — — 29.5/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 2.95 40% water added Appearance SeparatedSeparated Cloudy Separated Separated Separated Clear milky gel milkycloudy cloudy cloudy Viscosity — — — — — — 18.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)),1.89 50% water added Appearance Milky gel Milky gel Separated SeparatedSeparated Separated Clear milky cloudy cloudy cloudy Comparative Example31 Polymer R 100* 80* 60* 50* 40* 20*  0* Polymer I  0 20 40 50 60 80100 Viscosity 350.9/ 248.6/ 211.1/ 179.1/ 286.3/ 130.2/ 72.8/(cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 35.09 24.86 21.11 17.91 28.63 13.02 7.28  0% wateradded Appearance Clear Clear Clear Haze Haze Haze Clear Viscosity 835.4/— — — — 101.3/ 68.3/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 83.54 10.13 6.83 10% wateradded Appearance Cloudy Cloudy/Gel Separated Separated Haze Haze Clearcloudy gel haze Viscosity — — — — — — 53.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 5.3920% water added Appearance Cloudy/Gel Cloudy/Gel Thick Separated HazeCloudy Clear milky gel milky Viscosity — — — — — — 34.2/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵m²/sec)), 3.42 30% water added Appearance Cloudy/Gel Separated milky gelSeparated Separated Cloudy Clear Milky gel milky milky Viscosity — — — —— — 19.5/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.95 40% water added AppearanceCloudy/Gel Milky gel Milky gel Separated Separated Cloudy Slight hazemilky milky Viscosity — — — — — — 15.9/ (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)), 1.59 50%water added Appearance Cloudy/Gel Milky gel Milky gel Milky SeparatedCloudy Slight haze milky gel “—” denotes not determined.

Prepare a representative blend of Polymer J and Polymer D. Thecomposition includes 18.6 wt. percent of Polymer D, 80 wt. percent ofPolymer J and 1.4 wt. percent of an additive package comprising 0.9 wt.percent Irgacor® L17, 0.25 wt. percent Irgacor® L06, and 0.25 wt.percent a reaction product of N-phenylbenzenamine with 2,4,4-trimethylpentene and 2-methylpropene (Vanlube™ 961), each wt. percent being basedupon total composition weight. Irgacor is a trademark of the Ciba GeigyCorporation. Vanlube is a trademark of the R.T. Vanderbilt Company, Inc.The viscosity of this formulated blend is determined in deionized waterand in synthetic seawater (prepared according to ASTM D665). Thecomposition performs well in deionized water up to a water content of 40wt. percent, based upon combined weight of composition and deionizedwater. The viscosity in synthetic seawater increases when sea water ispresent and remains acceptable at water concentrations of 50 wt.percent, based upon combined weight of composition and syntheticseawater. These results are summarized in Table 13.

TABLE 13 Viscosity Water (Deionized Water), Viscosity (Seawater),Example Content (cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec)) cSt/(×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) 32 0157.9/15.79  157.9/15.79  33 10 163/16.3 201/20.1 34 20 168/16.8209/20.9 35 30 146/14.6 207/20.7 36 40 123/12.3 159/15.9 37 50 95/9.5159/15.9

These examples show that compositions of random and block copolymers canbe utilized to provide good rheology control when aqueous dilutions ofthe compositions are formed. Rheology control depends on several factorssuch as the molecular weight (M_(w)) and ethylene oxide content of therandom copolymer and also the molecular weight (M_(w)) and propyleneoxide content of the block copolymer. Furthermore, the weight ratios ofrandom and block copolymers can be used to optimize and control rheologyperformance in aqueous solution. Block copolymers which contain ≧70 wt.% PO content and M_(w)'s of from 1500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol are preferred.Random copolymers containing 50 wt. % EO units and having M_(w)'s ofless than 2000 g/mol, particularly from 500 g/mol to 1200 g/mol, arealso preferred.

Compositions which contain only random copolymers of EO and PO, forexample Polymers E (Comparative Example 4) or I (Comparative Examples 3and 13), show poor rheology control and significant viscosity decreasewhen 50 wt. % water is present in the composition. Furthermore,compositions which contain only block copolymers, also show poorrheology control and a significant increase in viscosity on wateraddition such that gel formation occurs. This is exemplified withPolymer Q in Table 4 which forms a gel at 50 wt. % aqueous dilution.

Compositions of random copolymers and block copolymers can provide thedesired rheology control. Some compositions which contain 50 wt. %random copolymer and 50 wt. % block copolymer show excellent rheologycontrol. For example, a composition which contains 50 wt. % Polymer Qand 50 wt. % Polymer D in Table 4 shows less than 6 percent viscositychange with 50 wt. % water addition. Similarly Example 2 in Table 1,which describes a composition containing block copolymer B at 50 wt. %with random copolymers C and D at 10 wt. % and 40 wt. %, respectively,shows less than 13 percent viscosity change when combined with 50 wt. %water.

The EO content of the random copolymer is important when considering thestability of compositions that contain block copolymers in the presenceof water. When the level of EO in the random component is too high,aqueous compositions are often hazy, cloudy or milky in appearance. Whenthe EO content of the random copolymer is from 50 wt. % to 55 wt. %,compositions that contain block copolymers can lead to clear stableaqueous solutions, as illustrated by Polymers Q and D (Ex 15) in Table4.

1. A polymer composition, comprising: a) from 15 weight percent to 60weight percent, based upon composition weight, of one or more randomethylene oxide/propylene oxide interpolymers, each of which has a weightaverage molecular weight ranging from 250 g/mol to 2000 g/mol andcomprises from 30 weight percent to 60 weight percent, based upon randominterpolymer weight, of polymer units derived from ethylene oxide; andb) from 40 weight percent to 85 weight percent, based upon compositionweight, of one or more ethylene oxide/propylene oxide blockinterpolymers, each of which has a weight average molecular weightranging from 1500 g/mol to 4000 g/mol and comprises from 40 weightpercent to 90 weight percent, based upon block copolymer weight, ofblocks derived from propylene oxide; wherein the composition has a firstviscosity in the substantial absence of water and a second viscosity inthe presence of an amount of water, the first viscosity ranging from 50centistokes (5×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) to 120 centistokes (12×10⁻⁵ m²/sec) andwherein the second viscosity, when the amount of water present is atleast 10 weight percent based upon combined weight of composition andwater, has a value that is at least 60 percent of the value of the firstviscosity, wherein the first and second viscosities are determinedaccording to ASTM D-445 at 40° C.
 2. The polymer composition accordingto claim 1, wherein the one or more random ethylene oxide/propyleneoxide interpolymers comprise from 40 weight percent to 60 weight percentof the composition.
 3. The polymer composition according to claim 1,wherein the one or more ethylene oxide/propylene oxide blockinterpolymers comprises from 50 weight percent to 75 weight percent ofthe composition.
 4. The polymer composition according to claim 1,wherein the one or more ethylene oxide/propylene oxide blockinterpolymers comprise 40 weight percent to 60 weight percent of thecomposition.
 5. The polymer composition according to claim 1, whereineach of the one or more ethylene oxide/propylene oxide blockinterpolymers comprises from 10 weight percent to less than 50 weightpercent, based upon block copolymer weight, of polymer units derivedfrom ethylene oxide.
 6. The polymer composition according to claim 1,wherein each random ethylene oxide/propylene oxide interpolymer has aweight average molecular weight ranging from 250 g/mol to 1200 g/mol;and wherein each ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block interpolymer has aweight average molecular weight ranging from 1750 g/mol to 2500 g/mol.7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the second viscosity ranges from0 percent greater to less than 11 percent greater than the firstviscosity when the amount of water present is 5 weight percent.
 8. Amethod of lubricating a surface, which method comprises providing thepolymer composition of any of claims 1 through 7 to the surface.
 9. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the surface is selected from a stern tubebearing of a marine vessel or a fin stabilizer bearing of a marinevessel.